Which cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy?

Got a craving for some Cheddar on crackers or a delicious mozzarella salad?

Turns out tucking into cheese when you’re expecting can sometimes be a little complicated because of the risk of listeria - a bacteria that’s present in certain types of cheese.

Listeria is dangerous during pregnancy as it can cause food poisoning, but luckily, there's still plenty of fromage safe to eat when you're pregnant. 

We’ve picked 15 of the best…

Which cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy?

1) Double Gloucester

A hard, orange cheese, Double Gloucester is a great alternative to Cheddar and grating it into cheese sauces or macaroni cheese adds a bit of colour.

You could also mix some into this Cauliflower Cheese recipe.

2) Cheddar

The crumbly, creamy tanginess of a good Cheddar can make all of life’s little problems disappear, especially when it’s grated liberally over bread and toasted.

3) Stilton

Despite being a blue cheese, Stilton is actually safe to eat in pregnancy because it’s a hard cheese, which doesn't contain as much water as soft cheeses, so bacteria (such as listeria) are less likely to grow in them.

However, steer clear of soft blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola and Roquefort unless cooked thoroughly.

4) Feta

Made from a mixture of sheep’s and goat’s milk, feta originated from Greece and is used regularly in Mediterranean cooking.

It’s a rich source of vitamin B12, which you need in pregnancy to aid the growth and development of your baby.

For a healthy, tasty lunch, try this Feta, Mint, Lentil And Pistachio Omelette recipe. 

5) Mozzarella

So long as mozzarella is made from pasteurised milk, it’s fine to eat in pregnancy.

Add to pizzas, slice it over the top of lasagne or pasta dishes or serve cold with tomatoes and basil. We love it in this Mediterranean Vegetable And Mozzarella Bake.

6) Halloumi

With it’s firm, springy texture, halloumi can be grilled or fried while still retaining its shape. Ideal for adding to salads such as this Halloumi, Asparagus & Pomegranate Quinoa Salad.

7) Soft cheese

Cheese spreads such as Philadelphia are safe to eat in pregnancy as they’re made with pasteurised milk. As well as adding to sandwiches, it’s great on toast and topped with tomatoes for a tasty breakfast.

8) Baked camembert

While camembert is normally not safe to eat in pregnancy as it’s a soft, rind cheese, bake it in the oven until it’s piping hot all the way through and you kill off the listeria bacteria that can be dangerous. Get some fresh, crusty bread and dig in.

9) Cottage cheese

Classically seen as a “slimmer’s food” because of the low-fat content, cottage cheese is good for adding to jacket potatoes, topping on oatcakes or adding to spicy chicken wraps.

It’s a great food in pregnancy as it’s high in protein, which you need to aid your baby’s growth.

10) Mascarpone

A soft, spreadable cheese that originates from Italy, mascarpone is safe in pregnancy so long as the milk it’s made from is pasteurised.

It has a very mild flavour so can be used in both savoury and sweet flavours for adding creaminess. Try stirring some into this Rigatoni and Courgette pasta dish.

11) Paneer

This classic Indian cheese is often served in curry to add texture, or alongside spinach. It’s mild flavour and slightly chewy texture means it goes well in spicy dishes. Try adding it to this Full-Of-Sunshine Thai Curry Recipe. 

12) Edam

This Dutch cheese is mild and creamy so ideal for a quick cheese on toast snack.

Mini Edam cheeses such as Babybel make great snacks to keep you going through the day (for you as well as your kids!)

13) Parmesan

Harder cheeses tend to carry the lowest risk of listeria, so a very hard cheese such as Parmesan (or pecorino) is fine to eat in pregnancy.

Try grating slithers into a salad or sprinkling finely grated Parmesan over pasta dishes like this Pappardelle al Ragu.

14) Garlic and herb roulade

Although it’s a soft cheese, garlic and herb roulade cheese is safe to eat in pregnancy so long as it’s made with pasteurised milk. Perfect for spreading on a baguette or mixing into a cheese sauce for added flavour.

15) Goat’s cheese without rind

While goat’s cheese with a rind (Chevre) is not safe, you can also buy varieties that are rindless, and these are safe in pregnancy. Try this Rosemary-Roasted Butternut, Courgette, Amaranth And Barley Couscous Salad recipe with goat’s cheese. 

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